At the Senior Bowl, Ebiketie showed that he is a fast edge rusher with serious burst around the corner. ** - denotes 2024 prospect. 4/27/22: Mafe collected 34 tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble in 2021. Multiple sources from around the league say that Thibodeaux does not love football, wears on his teammates, and is focused on himself above all else. Paschal lost his 2018 season to fighting malignant melanoma, but after beating cancer, he returned to the field in 2019 to put together a quality year for Kentucky. 154 overall: Conner is the selection", "Browns acquire WR Amari Cooper in trade with Cowboys", "Sources: Vikes ship Ngakoue to Ravens for picks", "Jaguars agree to trade DE Yannick Ngakoue to Vikings", "2022 NFL Draft: Jaguars Pick Up Future 4th Round Pick in Trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers", "New England Patriots acquire WR DeVante Parker in trade with Miami Dolphins", "New York Jets trade LB Avery Williamson to Pittsburgh Steelers", "Raiders OT Trent Brown expected to be traded to Patriots", "Raiders trade No. However, his stock is rapidly on the rise, with the potential to elevate himself into first-round contention. Boye Mafe will be a 24-year-old rookie, but regardless of age, his sheer upside should have teams jumping to the podium in the top 50. INDIANAPOLIS - The 2023 NFL draft shapes up as a referendum on bigger-than-average edge rushers. We first try to identify a position, but often list both possibilities. From the college perspective, here are the best defensive end and edge rusher prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pre-Snap Reads 2/28: 2023 NFL Draft could prove to be most . These picks are in addition to, and have no impact on, the standard 32 compensatory selections. That will be a terrifying prospect, as he establishes himself as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Now that he has a year of experience, Thomas could be even better in 2021 and rise for the 2022 NFL Draft. Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux will compete for the No. What makes Thibodeaux so special? Hutchinson has been the most dominating pass-rusher in college football during the 2021 season and easily outperformed the presump Thibodeaux has out-of-this-world athletic ability and as a result, is in the running for being the top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft George Karlaftis is a freakish athlete with an elite massive frame and is a natural dominating pass rusher. After an offense-heavy draft in 2021, there is more defensive promise in 2022. Who will be the top defensive ends for the 2022 NFL Draft? 1? After a relatively disappointing defensive draft last April in terms of first-round pass rushers, the top of the 2022 NFL Draft could feature multiple defensive ends. The problem is, that athleticism and power are the main two qualities that Walker wins with at the moment. He could be a tweener defensive tackle/end, and he should probably gain weight to play on the inside as a pro. While Thibodeaux would benefit from refinement of his pass-rush toolbox, his ability to convert speed to power effortlessly will leave many offensive linemen embarrassed this fall. The hype comes on the back of a sensational first season at the FBS level. 2. For purposes of schematic differentiation, projected stand-up rushers such as Kayvon Thibodeaux and David Ojabo were listed in our outside linebacker rankings. The 2022 NFL Draft is now in the books, and the Steelers selected five offensive players and two defensive players to add to the mix. 0:00. 4/27/22: Clemons recorded 32 tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble in 2021. When he pieces everything together, Smith breezes past offensive tackles with relative ease. In 2020, he was even better than his sophomore year, recording 58 tackles with 6.5 sacks, one interception, one pass defended and a tremendous six forced fumbles. Apr 15, 2022, 4:52pm ET in NFL News Top 10 Best defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft Teams in need of a dynamic edge rusher are going to have plenty of opportunities to fill that role as the 2022 NFL Draft is loaded with top defensive ends. Some team sources view him as a mid-first-rounder while others think he belongs late in Round 1. He decided to transfer to Mississippi State after the season. But when they run right at him, it's alarming.". During the Senior Bowl game, Mafe was impossible to block, and it was a glimpse of what he can become in the NFL. Top Defensive Ends 2022 NFL Draft 2022 NFL Draft - Top Defensive Ends (5-Technique DT) Most Recent Update: 4/27/2022 7:00 PM EST Position/Conference Rankings WR-S DL 1-TECH DL 3-TECH DL 5-TECH ILB KICKER BIG-12 AAC M-WEST C-USA SUN BELT 2021 RANKINGS 2020 RANKINGS Rank O/A Chng Player/School Ht/Wt Elig. * - denotes 2023 prospect. Aidan Hutchinson is widely projected to be the No. Nashville Tennessean. 2022 NFL Draft: Defensive End Rankings 1. The junior put together an impressive 2021, including a number of games against good opponents in which he wreaked havoc. Heres a look at the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. Very tricky thing to do is first weed out guys that are defensive ends in college that will be 3-4 OLB's in college. At 63 3/4, 261 pounds, Mafe has the frame density, explosiveness, speed, and the bend to sink below the corner. VanValkenburg played very well to close out the 2021 season, impressing in the bowl game versus Kentucky. The top group of defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft is full of different player types, and South Carolinas Kingsley Enagbare is just one example. I'm concerned with strength. Last fall, the Cincinnati pass rusher was a late riser up draft boards, earning buzz as a potential Day 2 selection. 1 overall pick when the Jacksonville Jaguars arrive on the clock in late April. Enagbare creates power out of his frame while possessing excellent length. Hall looks like the rare five-technique prospect who is capable of putting pressure on the quarterback. The NFL advance scouts listed Mafe as an outside linebacker, but at his size, he could grow into being a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. 4/27/22: Thomas was unimpressive in 2021 despite having some really good talent next to him on the inside of the Clemson line in the early going of the year. For the NFL, Ebiketie is undersized to be a defensive end and probably would fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker. 2022 NFL Draft: Top Defensive Tackles Georgia's Jordan Davis (99) is Eddie Brown's top-rated defensive tackle in the upcoming NFL Draft. 42. 7/10/21: Stills showed pass rush potential in 2019 when he recorded seven sacks for the Mountaineers. Hutchinson has good size for the next level in that he could be a base end in a 4-3 or a 3-4 five-technique defensive end. The Oregon pass rusher also possesses great length. If Mafe were taller and had more length, he would have a better shot at being first-round pick. In 2021, Thomas put up 71 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. The draft concluded with rounds 47 on Saturday, April 30. That helps him be a menace at the line of scrimmage both in terms of winning as a pass rusher and making plays on the ball in the air. Last season, six edge rushers were drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Easily the most physically imposing of all the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft, George Karlaftis combines size, power, and explosion to be a dominant defensive lineman. Anderson looked significantly better against the run in the games against Arkansas and Kentucky. 98), outside linebacker Baron Browning (2021, No. If it is close, for example if a defensive end is a bit undersized, but moves really well in space, they very well . [17] Seven picks were awarded for the 2022 draft pursuant to the resolution. 2022 NFL Draft Defensive End Rankings includes a prospect ranking, a breakdown of scouting for the position, key questions about the position, and a link to learn more. Anthony Richardson Combine Results: Florida Star Makes Case for QB1, Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland | NFL Draft Scouting Report, 2023 NFL Combine Hand Size Results: Notable Quarterback Measurements and More, 2023 NFL Combine Risers: Christian Gonzalez, Deonte Banks, and Brian Branch Perform Well. Azeez Ojulari was the featured defender, while Johnson, Adam Anderson and Nolan Smith rotated for snaps. Mar 04, 2023. He missed a few games with the ankle injury and decided to skip Oregon's bowl game in favor of draft preparation. USC hurt his production by moving him around, playing him somewhat at outside linebacker, dropping him into coverage, and reducing his pass-rushing opportunities. For teams that like length and high-motor rushers, Enagbare fits the bill. That's why Georgia says they don't start him. With his production, its no surprise that Thomas brings a constant motor from start to finish. Johnson checked off the athleticism box at the 2022 NFL Combine, when he ran a 4.58 and had a 125 broad jump at 64 5/8 and 254 pounds. Gunter has quality size to be an edge defender in the NFL. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. On the year, Paschal had 52 tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble. Hutchinson has been the most dominating pass-rusher in college football during the 2021 season and easily outperformed the presumptive top p Thibodeaux has out-of-this-world athletic ability and as a result, is in the running for being the top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Hunter, who has posted at least 12.5 sacks in three of his first six seasons appeared in just seven contests last season after tearing his pectoral muscle. The Coastal Carolina defensive end also led the nation with 6 forced fumbles in 2020. If production is a pre-requisite for you at edge rusher, then youll like Cameron Thomas. He has some quickness, strength, and athleticism that was illustrated with good workouts. In 2021, VanValkenburg totaled 58 tackles and 5.5 sacks. 4/27/22: Johnson totaled 70 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes batted in 2021. 4/27/22: Stills recorded 36 tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble in 2021. David Ojabo *, Michigan 5. 4/27/22: Ebiketie played well for the Nittany Lions in 2021, picking up 62 tackles, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumble. He still could sneak into Round 1, but multiple team sources said they graded Mafe on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Given his size, the assumption is that Karlaftis wins with strength alone. He is a riser who could go in the early rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. They don't see freaky traits of speed and explosion to make up for Johnson's lack of size. The top 100 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft were littered . Projecting for defensive end roles in the NFL, the top defensive end in the 2022 NFL Draft isnt Hutchinson or Karlaftis. This gives Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry a true . Defensive Line Rankings 2022 NFL Draft Home Positions DL ALL QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK WIDE RECEIVER TIGHT END OFFENSIVE LINE DEFENSIVE LINE EDGE LINEBACKER DEFENSIVE BACK #1 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 97 Aidan Hutchinson POSITION RANK #1 OUR RATING 94.8 DE All Scouts Average Overall Rank 2.7 All Scouts Average Position Rank 1 Height Feet 6-7 Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft in April, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks recently released his top five draft-eligible defensive ends. [3][4] Parts of Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard were closed to vehicle traffic to allow spectators to travel between the two sites.[5]. New York may not have many more big free-agent signings in store, but it will get to add some talented young players during the 2022 NFL draft, which is set for April 28-30. 7/10/21: Jackson played well in 2020, recording 20 tackles, two sacks and an interception. Standing around 65, 266 pounds, Thomas is an impressive athlete for his size. Thomas had four sacks in 2020 and 5.5 in 2019. He was a consensus first-rounder prior to the injury. Off the snap, it is as if he has been shot out of cannon as he explodes upfield with shocking speed. The first round will take place on Thursday, with rounds two and three on Friday and the last four on Saturday. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan BIG BOARD RANK: 1 The Grecian Goliath measures in at 64 and 275 pounds and is one of the strongest defensive ends in this upcoming class. He is a 1-year wonder who could find his best fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Hall looks like the rare five-technique prospect who is capable of putting pressure on the quarterback. The 2022 NFL Draft was the 87th edition of the National Football League's annual draft and was held from April 2830, 2022, at the Caesars Forum on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. He's turned all three picks in the past two drafts into starters in right guard Quinn Meinerz (2021, No. We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. Clemons has quality size with some quickness and athleticism on the edge. He was a good defender for West Virginia. Boye Mafe, Minnesota; Malik Vann, Cincinnati; Jordan Strachan, South Carolina; Ochaun Mathis, TCU; Will McDonald, Iowa State, Anthony Richardson Combine Results: Florida Star Makes Case for QB1, Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland | NFL Draft Scouting Report, 2023 NFL Combine Hand Size Results: Notable Quarterback Measurements and More, 2023 NFL Combine Risers: Christian Gonzalez, Deonte Banks, and Brian Branch Perform Well. The following is the breakdown of the 262 players selected by position: In the explanations below, (PD) indicates trades completed prior to the start of the draft (i.e. He was a steady pass rusher and a big presence for the Michigan defense. Oklahoma has quite a few eligible defensive linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft. We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. Anderson should be a top-10 or top-15 pick if he keeps playing like he did against Clemson. The six-year NFL veteran and Minnesota Vikings stud defensive end, Danielle Hunter is well deserving of a spot as one of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. Improving his pass-rush production would help Hutchinson, but he is a phenomenal run defender who flashes an ability to get to the quarterback. However, beyond the statistics, Sanders is an alluring prospect. This has provided a further showcase of his athletic ability to impact multiple phases of the game. Carter was very productive for the Gators this past season and flashed numerous times at the Senior Bowl in early February. Defensive End Rankings 2022 NFL Draft Home Positions DE ALL QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK WIDE RECEIVER TIGHT END OFFENSIVE LINE DEFENSIVE LINE EDGE LINEBACKER DEFENSIVE BACK #1 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 97 Aidan Hutchinson POSITION RANK #1 OUR RATING 94.8 DE All Scouts Average Overall Rank 2.7 All Scouts Average Position Rank 1 Height Feet 6-7 . 1 overall pick conversation, and Georgias Travon Walker is one of them. Hutchinson is expected to lead the Wolverines defense and help cement his position as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft.